OUR SPIRITUAL BENEFITS

Christians often fail to realize the wonderful benefits which faith in Jesus and His sacrifice gives and are theirs for the asking. Ignorance of these benefits is so widespread that few know to claim them, thus enriching their spiritual lives. How about you?

These benefits are too numerous to list in one short article, but here are nine for your consideration, selected from a study of the Epistle to the Ephesians. They are free for the asking, so be sure to claim them! Remember God is RICH in mercy and love!

Because we are In Christ, we have been:

1. Blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places – 1:3.

2. Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world – 1:4.

3. Predestined to adoption – 1:5.

4. Given a heavenly inheritance – 1:11.

5. Accepted in the Beloved – 1:6

6. Redeemed by Jesus’ blood with forgiveness of sins – 1:7.

7. Raised through baptism from death unto life – 2:4

8. Seated together with Christ in heavenly places – 2:5

9. Made complete in Christ, lacking nothing – 2:6

Christians who are members of the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23) and who truly recognize these spiritual benefits of grace and claim them by making them their own, can have a holy boldness and access with confidence into the very presence of God.

What do we mean by boldness? According to Webster it means, “courage, bravery, spirit, fearlessness, freedom from timidity, confidence, trust, freedom from bashfulness, assurance.” It is having love and respect that a good son has toward his earthly father, but in this case, it is even more so toward our Heavenly Father.

In Christ, we can approach God with fearlessness, free from any timidity, and with full assurance that we belong. Not because of our own uprightness, sincerity, devotion or dedication; but because of the merit of the Lord Jesus Christ and because we know, by faith, we belong to Him (Ephesians 2:9, 10).

As Christians we enjoy this boldness in spite of our failings, shortcomings, and despite the fact that we stumble and fall. We are to be assured that our boldness comes from being IN HIM, for only through Him dare we have such boldness with the Father. But, our boldness should not be limited to our relationship with the Father and the Lord Jesus. We must also be bold in bringing the Good News of Great Joy to others, doing away with timidity or fear. A shining example of boldness is recorded in Acts 4:13: “Now, when they (the Jewish religious leaders) saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” You need not fear to speak up if you feel “unlearned and untrained!” Along with Peter and John you are in good company. Just be sure you also “have been with Jesus and learned of Him” and then the Holy Spirit will see to it that you too can speak with a holy boldness. The Lord has promised He will put the words in your mouth (Matthew 10:19, 20).

Let us properly fear God, but never fear man; for the Holy Spirit “has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Be bold and courageous when speaking of Christ and the truth, and God will be with you.

G. Boccaccio

The following are comments by William Barclay as to what gave Peter and John their boldness in the account of Acts 4.

1. They had the conviction of the power of God. With them was

He who was the Creator and sustainer of all things.

2. They had the conviction of the futility of man’s rebellion. Men

may make their defiant gestures against God, but in the end

He must and will prevail.

3. They set before themselves the remembrance of Jesus.

They remembered how He suffered and triumphed; and in

that memory they found their confidence, for it is enough for

the disciple that he be as His Lord.

4. They prayed for courage. They did not pretend that they could

face this in their own strength; they turned to a power that was

not their own.

5. The result was the gift of the Spirit. The promise was fulfilled;

they were not left comfortless. So they found the courage and

the strength they needed to witness when their witness might

well have meant their death. They knew first-hand that their

message was true; and they were so sure of it that they were

willing to stake their life upon it.” Are we?